Applauds New Additions to Growing National Network of Supporters

Washington, DC [June 9, 2011]--Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) praised 12 United States Senators for quickly responding to the national call to action on lung cancer. All have endorsed the bi-partisan bi-cameral Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act recently reintroduced in the 112th Congress.

S. 752, and its House counterpart HR 1394, would establish the first ever multi-agency comprehensive program targeted at lung cancer. Lung cancer causes more deaths each year than breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers – combined. The current list of Senate cosponsors includes:

These Senators join the bi-partisan leadership of Senators Dianne Feinstein (D- CA), John Kerry (D-MA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) who introduced the legislation.

In thanking the Senators for their support, LCA President & CEO Laurie Fenton Ambrose, said, “We cannot reverse decades of stigma and neglect without the help of these respected legislators. We are so very grateful they recognize the urgency of the need and the potential for live-saving cost-saving improvements in outcomes for the lung cancer community. I hope others will soon join their ranks.”

The bill requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to combine forces on a comprehensive, coordinated plan of action to be presented to Congress for evaluation and funding.

The legislation also calls for a screening demonstration program to begin the process of translating the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) recent scientific validation that low-dose CT screening of an at risk population can significantly reduce lung cancer mortality into public health benefit. The bills have been referred to the committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the House and Senate.

Fenton-Ambrose continued, “I am also very proud to announce additions to our National Network of Supporters who believe as we do that we must bring greater compassion and support to the lung cancer community. Additions include:

Military Officers Association of AmericaNational Council of La RazaAssociation of Asian Pacific Community Health OrganizationsNational Association of Hispanic Nurses